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PippaJane

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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/body-woman-locked-syndrome-found-26828027?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=12at12_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Body of woman with locked-in syndrome found sitting upright and fused to parents' couch

WARNING, DISTURBING: Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36, was found partially naked and covered in insect bites and bed sores at the home of her parents, who are now facing second-degree murder charges

By Sophie Bateman Assistant News Editor

01:21, 29 Apr 2022

A woman who suffered from locked-in syndrome has been found dead, sitting upright and fused to her parents' couch.  Police made the grisly discovery of the remains of Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36, at a home in Slaughter, Louisiana on January 3 after her parents called 911 saying she wasn't breathing.  Sheila, 64, and Clay Fletcher, 65, "did not have an explanation" for why their disabled daughter was in such a state and are now facing second-degree murder charges.  Lacey suffered from the rare neurological condition known as locked-in syndrome, in which patients are unable to move any part of their body except for their eyes. Despite her serious condition, she had allegedly not been seen by a doctor for 20 years.  According to District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla, Lacey told her parents she did not want to leave the house about 10 years ago.  The Fletchers, who were Lacey's primary caretakers, claim they were able to communicate with her and she "never complained". 

"We don't treat animals or neglect our animals in that way," Mr D'Aquilla told the Daily Mail.

"If you have an animal in that condition you take them to the vet."

Lacey was found partially naked, sitting upright and submerged in a hole on the living room couch. Her body was covered in urine, faeces and insect bites and she had bed sores that went all the way down to the bone.  It's believed she had been dead for a day or two before being found.  The family's ranch-style home was otherwise clean and tidy, authorities said, although they were met with a powerful smell when they entered.  "The scene was sickening," East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr. Ewell Dewitt Bickham III told the Daily Mail.

"I've seen some horrible things in my life but nothing like this.  It's unconscionable, something you make horror movies about."

He ruled Lacey's death a homicide and cause of death as medical neglect.  Her parents are well-respected members of the Slaughter community, with Sheila employed as a local elected official and Clay working for an educational nonprofit dedicated to the Civil War.  Sheila resigned from her position on the town board three weeks after Lacey's death.  Many neighbours had no idea Lacey existed and have been "appalled" by the news of her death, according to reports.  The couple's lawyer Steven Moore issued a statement on his clients' behalf on Wednesday, saying: "They don't want to relive the pain of losing a child through the media.  They have been through a lot of heartache over the years. Anyone who had lost a child knows what it's like."

Mr D'Aquilla said the Fletchers were never taken into custody as they are not considered flight risks.  On Monday a 12-person jury will decide on charges of manslaughter, negligent homicide or second-degree murder. If convicted of second-degree murder, the couple face life in prison.